The Sharks and Calgary Flames squared off at HP Pavilion on Saturday night in San Jose's final game of the preseason. The Sharks were looking to avenge their 3-2 shootout loss to the Flames on Sept .25 and nearly took the early lead on their first powerplay when a Joe Thornton shot ricocheted off the post.

Ryane Clowe put San Jose on the board first with 3:48 remaining in the initial period on a Joe Pavelski feed from the circle. Pavelski, who leads the Sharks in points (nine), assisted the initial goal by skating the puck along Flames goaltender Curtis McElhinney's left side and passing the puck from the faceoff dot across to an open Clowe. The goal was Clowe's second of the preseason.

Thirty-three seconds into the second, Patrick Marleau gave the Sharks some breathing room with his second goal of the preseason to give the Sharks a 2-0 lead. Marleau's linemates Joe Thornton and Jonathan Cheechoo earned the assists.

When Calgary took to the power play midway through the second, Adrian Aucoin dropped down from his point and had Nabokov all but beat. Nabokov didn't worry about appearances and turned away the opportunity.

Mike Grier almost had a wide-open net when he chased a loose puck into the Flames zone, but Curtis McElhinney skated out and just beat him to the puck.

The second period ended with San Jose up 2-0.

That lead would be cut in half four minutes into the third. A perfect Alex Tanguay feed allowed Craig Conroy to split the defense and skate in alone on Nabokov. He lifted the shot to the right spot, pulling the Flames within one.

Calgary appeared to tie the contest with just under seven minutes remaining, but the ref on the spot called a highstick right away and waived off the tally.

The Sharks would hold on to win 2-1.

SMITTY RETURNSFormer Shark Mark returned to HP Pavilion sporting his familiar number 16. He signed earlier in the day with Calgary.